Opinions please

Hi, I'm fairly new to saltwater aquariums. I recently converted my 30g halfmoon aquarium to a Sw. I'm running a Fluval C4 265gph 5 step hob filter, 1 hydor nano 240gph power head, and a hydor nano 115 internal skimmer. 0.00 nit., 8.2 ph, 1.024 salinity. 28.5 lbs of live Fiji rock, 30-40 lbs of live sand. I let it run for about 1 week and added 12 small blue legged hermit crabs, 3 more weeks added 2 small perc clowns, one a little larger for dominance reasons. I use a 20" t5 10000k light I run about 12 hrs a day. I want to keep just my 2 clowns and maybe a few more cleaners I plan on having my clowns for a long time maybe potentially mating. Any opinions from experts on my set up and to make it more successful is appreciated, thanks!

 

Welcome to 3reef Tom23.

Some will tell you a sump would be of real benefit, but if you are not going to go with sensitive corals like many sps, it sounds like you have a good set up.

Is this only a one bulb T5 fixture?

Having had this size of tank I do not see the Hydor Nano being necessary. In some of my smaller tanks I tried this skimmer and it was more trouble than it's worth.

Do routine water changes, and keep bioload small and you should not need a skimmer. If you like the idea of having a skimmer you might upgrade to a HOB skimmer in the future.

I would add more flow though if your intent is to add LPS corals in the future.

 

welcome to 3reef! and +1^^ to everything she said

 

It is a one bulb t5, I would like to add some easier types of Coral in the future, I think I may try a DIY sump when I go on vacation later this year. I'm only interested in the 2 clowns being the only fish. I have a 7 month old girl that just cracks up at them when they swim to her. Will this set up be acceptable for what I want (a few corals with my janitor crew n clowns)

 

Yes it will house your clowns fine.

I have never had a 1 bulb fixture, you may be able to keep Colt corals and some of the easier softies. Guess you will not know until you try.

 

Thanks Cora I appreciate your input! Is this the general concencus of you other xperts or is there any Other things I can do to make my clowns life more enjoyable?

 

Yep, looks good. :thumb_up:

 

With the sump, you don't really need anything fancy. I just have my 37 with 2 pumps on one end and the drain coming down to that pump end and pointed toward the other side which is full of rock. I've never had microbubbles and the tank is very stable. You can try to build an elaborate one if you'd like (which may be more beneficial) but if you don't have time, a simple tank sump like mine still works wonders.